Despite improved liquidity profiles and access to the unsecured debt market, weak property operating fundamentals across the U.S. equity REIT sector and the uncertainty as to the exact timing of a full economic recovery remain areas of concern for U.S. equity REITs in 2010, according to Fitch Ratings.

Fitch is maintaining a negative Negative outlook Outlook for the U.S. equity REIT sector heading into 2010.